Our license is about to be put on hold...

In my mind, we should have 3 (more) little girls living in our house right now. Our current foster license expires Monday, and we should have had our renewed, amended license next Tuesday at the latest. From what we were told, renewal packets should be sent to foster families approximately 90 days prior to their license expiration. We were supposed to have the paperwork returned to our agency 60 days prior to expiration, in order for our family specialist to process our renewal packet and have it submitted to OLCR (the Office of Licensing, Certification, and Regulation) 30 days prior to expiration. We received our package in July, and returned it to our agency the first week in August. To our frustration, our family specialist did not have our package completed in time.  In fact, it was just submitted last Friday. Also to our frustration, she was unaware that our new addition needed to be inspected by OLCR (she came out and inspected it herself). So on Monday OLCR requested more information (an inspection) before they could process our renewal. Of course, they couldn't just schedule one; our agent had to fill out an inspection request form online. And now we're waiting for a phone call to schedule our inspection. And often these inspections are scheduled a week or two out. And (did I say this already?) our license expires Monday.

When we were first licensed, we were the first home study our family specialist had ever conducted. We gave him a break, and were understanding (although antsy) as we waited for our license. This time we're a little more frustrated. This is a simple procedure. It should not be this complicated, right? We decided to look into switching agencies, as we had heard during our initial training that this was possible. We have interacted with another Christian agency in our state, and we have had good impressions of the agency and its officers. So I called the other agency yesterday to inquire about the transfer process. To my chagrin I was informed that they do not accept transfers. Door closed. So we decided to ride it out for another year. If we have more issues in the coming year, we are going to talk to the director of our agency and possibly ask to be assigned a different family specialist.

I know that all things work in God's timing, not in my own. In the right time, we will be licensed for our 3 girls, and at the right time, He will bring the right girls into our house. I have to believe that they just aren't ready to come to us yet. So we wait. Again. In the mean time, I appreciate your prayers as we prepare to {re}open our home.

WFMW: Chicken by the {BOX}

When you have a large family- or just feed a lot of people- you're always looking for a good deal. Last year, around the time we ordered the cow, I discovered Zaycon Foods. Zaycon Foods cuts out the middle man and brings you farm-fresh (never frozen!) chicken, bacon, and fruit for less than you'd pay at the store. Their service is not for everyone. You need to have space to store your {frozen} chicken, and you have to do some prep and portioning, so it's a bit of work. The chicken comes by the {40 lb.} box, and is "100% natural with no added hormones, additives, or artificial ingredients." I know this still is not the healthiest chicken out there, but at this point, and with our growing family, I can't afford to purchase free-range birds. For us this is the next best thing.

Right now Zaycon is having a giant boneless, skinless chicken savings event in all 48 continental states! I'm not sure how much the prices and dates vary from state-to-state, but I am ordering my chicken breasts for only $1.49/pound! I wish I had a picture to show you. I promise I'll document it this time!

If you're at all interested, hop over to the Zaycon Foods site, register, and see when they will be in your neighborhood. Buying quality chicken at a great price works for me!

Disclaimer: While this was not a sponsored post, I do earn $1 (toward future chicken!) for every event you purchase from if you register from my link or with the referral name "Klein Haus Chaos".

A Lil' Controversy

Christians and Birth Control

Disclaimer: All opinions here are my own, and while they are my convictions, please do not assume that I judge those who have different convictions. I have come to this place over time, and have made many contrary choices in my life. 

Before we were married I got on the pill. I wanted to have an established habit before it was actually needed. I had two months worth of birth control in my possession when we married and I moved across the country to join the ranks of the military spouse. But the doctor I saw on base was a civilian and not very familiar with the military pharmacy procedures. At the time, neither was I. Due to several disagreements and mis-communications between  the doctor and myself, I ran out of pills. For 3 weeks. And in those weeks we were blessed with our daughter.

After she was born, I went on the pill again. A year and a half later I went off the pill and we received another blessing, who stretched our faith more than we could have imagined.

I went on the pill again after his birth. When he was a year old, we researched more permanent options. More than researched, actually, as Hubby had an appointment. Turns out he was too young, so they turned him down. This is about the the time the Lord started changing our hearts regarding many lifestyle choices. We began researching birth control.


 Ultimately, we have chosen to open our house to as many blessings as God sees fit to give us. Our only method of birth control is one God created: extended breastfeeding.

 Of course, most of you will not choose the same path as us regarding your family planning, and that's okay with me. Still, I would encourage you to do some research and soul-searching regarding your method of "control." I recently stumbled on this post, and Cindy approached the subject with much grace and eloquence. I ask you to prayerfully read her post and explore this controversial subject. After you've read, tell me what you think: Is it a sin to take the birth control pill?

http://comefillyourcup.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/questions-and-answers-what-about-the-use-of-birth-control-pills/

Our Apple Orchard {& PIE!}

Okay, so maybe it's not our apple orchard, but it's where we pick our own organic apples! This was the second year that we've gone, and we plan on making this a yearly tradition. I shared yesterday about Date Creek Ranch and their yummy beef. Today it's about the apples! We loved visiting the apple orchards while we were stationed in Nebraska, and when we moved home, I thought that was one thing we would be missing out on. Needless to say, we were very excited to see this:

I'm all for seeing where our food comes from, and it doesn't get much better than organic apples for $1/pound!

All of these pictures are from last year. 

Because of course we forgot the camera this time.

 Last year we went toward the end of the season. Our fifty pounds of apples made some yummy pie, applesauce and syrup, but were a little tart to eat fresh. This year we made it up there the first weekend, and that made ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

 Thirty-seven pounds of delicious apples! I made a small crockpot full of applesauce (peel and quarter the apples and turn on low for six hours or so) for the kids, the rest of the apples that we didn't eat were turned into Dutch Apple Pie! 

Not quite the same as what we bought in Julian, but excellent nonetheless.

Dutch Apple Pie

Crust: 

1 1/2 c. flour

1 T. sugar

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. oil (I prefer coconut, but whatever floats your boat)

2 T. milk

Mix together and press into pie pan.

Filling:

6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

1/2 c. sugar

1 T. flour

Dump sugar and flour over the apple slices and mix gently. Pour into pie pan.

Topping:

1 c. flour

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. butter

Mix flour and sugar, then cut in butter until it's crumbly. Bake at 375 for about an hour or until a knife slides in easily. Best served with a generous helping of vanilla ice cream, preferably homemade.

Picking our own organic apples works for me!

Our {Grass-fed} Cow

Disclaimer: All opinions here are my own, and while they are my convictions, please do not assume that I judge those who have different convictions. I have come to this place over time, and have made many contrary choices in my life. 

Two years ago, Hubby and I made a conscious decision to strive to do things as God originally intended. This had included how many children we (will) have, how and where we birth our children, how we raise our children (such as breastfeeding, co-sleeping and homeschooling), and what we put into our bodies. Many of these changes were in the works even longer. We are asking ourselves, "How has it been done in the past?" and "How has modern society changed how we do things?" This is not to say that all modern conveniences are bad, but we want to question the wisdom behind more recent practices.

One example of this is our food. We try to eat food that has not been genetically modified or contaminated with pesticides, artificial coloring, or other chemicals. This is a process, and we definitely aren't perfect when it comes to this. Still, my goal is to take baby steps every month to get my family eating healthier. Last fall I began examining the protein we were consuming, namely chicken (and eggs) and beef. Most of the poultry and beef that one purchases in stores are fed corn and soy. Not only are these genetically modified, but these animals would not typically choose this diet if they were left on their own. I now purchase hormone-free chicken (not free-range, though I hope to get there!), free-range eggs, and last year we went in with my parents to purchase a quarter of a grass-fed cow.

Last September, our family visited Date Creek Ranch Orchard for the first time. We came to pick our own organic apples (more on that later!), but we fell in love with the beef! I love that we were able to see the cows in the pasture. But the kicker was the roast they had for us to sample! It had been cooking on low for 24 hours with no water, no seasonings, nothing, and it was the. best. beef. EVER.

I love knowing where my food came from, that it's made without hormones, herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals, and that he lived a happy life. It may not be the cheapest way to feed my family, but it is very healthy and delicious.

For more pictures, visit Date Creek Ranch's photo gallery, and while you're there, check out how you can score some of this great beef for yourself! (I am in no way being compensated for this post, I just love our beef that much! However, if you do decide to place an order, let them know that I referred you, and I'll get a few pounds for free next time!)

WFMW: Vacation on the CHEAP!

This summer we finally took a real vacation! We spent 5 days and 4 nights in San Diego County. My parents, 2 of my sisters, Hubby, Sissy, Bubba, Budders, Baby F, a friend who hitched a ride to see his grandparents, and myself all piled (with our bags!) into our 12-passenger van, and headed west.  So I ask, how many hotel rooms to you have to rent for 4 adults, 2 teens and 4 kids?! Our answer: zero!

I was overwhelmed and frustrated when I checked into the cost of hotel rooms or vacation condos in San Diego. Not in our budget! Fortunately, I knew where to look: vrbo.com. Instead of just searching near the attractions, I searched all of San Diego County, and found a great deal in the quaint town of Julian, CA. We rented a 3 bedroom house (with pull-out beds in the loft and living area, as well as a half-bath/laundry room perfect for Baby F's pack'n'play) for much less than we would have spent on hotel rooms! We also saved money cooking our own meals in the fully-stocked kitchen instead of eating out. We enjoyed exploring the 15 acre property, playing on the playground, and exploring downtown Julian, known for their delicious apple pie. And we only had about an hour drive to the beach and Sea World! For a large family on a budget, Vacation Rentals by Owner works for me!

Sissy & Bubba playing on the playground near the house

Hubby searching by the creek for berries

My boys panning for gold

Swinging with Sis

Gold panning with Daddy--pans were provided 

Grandpa helping Bubs pan

Our Foster Care Journey

Hubby and I both have fostering in our family. My grandparents on both sides fostered, as did Hubby's grandma and aunt. Still, this was not something I've always dreamed of doing. I've always had selfish, idyllic visions of how my family should look. These visions included children who look like us and who were raised by us from birth: children without baggage.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8,9

God began stirring our hearts toward missions in the fall of 2009. While we would have loved to pack our bags and move across the globe, we knew the time was not right. A few months later, in January 2010, Hubby suggested fostering as a way of introducing the missions mindset to our family. Although my self-centered fantasies kept me from agreeing wholeheartedly in the beginning, I submitted to Hubby's leadership, and we attended an orientation. There we were given an over-view of the foster system in Arizona and a list of the private agencies that facilitate licensing.

In our state, licensing agencies train foster parents and submit their package for licensing. They also assist CPS in placing children, and monitoring the placements. There are 3 Christian agencies working in our area, so we researched each, and contacted them regarding their training schedule. In Arizona foster parents are required to attend 30 hours of PS-MAPP classes, broken into 10 3-hour weekly sessions. Two of the agencies offered week-night classes, and only one had classes on the weekend. Due to Hubby's school schedule, we had only one option. Unfortunately, they were 2 weeks into a new training session when we attended orientation; we had to wait another two and a half months before we could start training.

We finally started training in April 2010. In addition to the training, we began compiling the documents needed for licensing. This included birth certificates, background checks from every state we've lived in, shot records, medical clearances, our marriage license, a fingerprint clearance card (which the state pays for), character references, employment history, taxes--pretty much everything about us. We had to write letters to hypothetical birth parents, do some role-playing, get our CPR certification (which we had to pay for), and watch countless PowerPoint presentations. We built relationships with some of the other parents, and were partnered with our Family Specialist. The Family Specialist is the one who prepares and submits your package to CPS. He made sure that we had all of our training and paperwork completed, and visited our house several times. We graduated from our PS-MAPP class on June 26, 2010, two days before our 3rd baby arrived!

During our class we had the Office of Licensing, Certification and Regulation (OLCR) come out for a safety inspection of our house. Since we don't have a pool, we didn't have to deal with all of the requirements for that--I heard that can be a major pain. For us, they were basically checking to make sure we had a working fire extinguisher and smoke detectors, working appliances, and that our toxics (mainly bleach) and medications were locked up. We over-prepared and over-stressed about this inspection; it was not that big of a deal. Still, we ended up having an empty fire extinguisher (thanks, Home Depot!), so our Family Specialist had to come out for a supplemental inspection once that was remedied.

About this same time, our Family Specialist came out for a home study. This simply consisted of separate interviews in our home. Once classes were over, we just had to wait for our Family Specialist to submit our licensing application. It can take days to a month for your license to be approved once your package is submitted. Much of this depends on the thoroughness of your Family Specialist. Unfortunately for us, we had a brand new Family Specialist; we were his first family. So although he had all of our necessary documents when our class was over at the end of June, our package was not submitted until mid-September. Our license was approved October 4th. A friend who was in the class with us had a very experienced Family Specialist, and was licensed the third week in July!

We waited over a month for our first placement, but it has been a steady stream of children in and out since then. In Arizona foster parents are allowed to be licensed for two children their first year, and five after that. We were only licensed for one this first year, because our three biological kids are (currently) ages 1, 3, and 5, and the state only allows four children ages 5 and under to be in the care of one adult. Since hubby works and we chose to have children the same ages as our own, we were limited to one. We have decided to change a few things this coming licensing year. We are going to be taking three girls, ages 5 to 10. This will be uncharted territory for us, so I'm sure it will stretch our faith and our parenting ability!

Up until now, our oldest foster child had just turned three, but most of them were quite a bit younger. As a result, we haven't had to deal with too many extreme behaviors. We know that this is about to change, and that in a way we are putting our biological children at risk. Still, we see this as a family ministry, and we trust that God will protect us and help us in this endeavor. Foster care is not easy, there are struggles challenges, and we are confident that we are being sanctified in the process.

Q&A

I never intended for this to be mainly a foster care blog. And I promise I will write about other things. Soon. But I am working on a post for a blog friend about foster care in AZ, and I was wondering if there are any questions you'd like me to answer. I know more of you are reading than just my one follower (thanks, Mandy!), so please comment!! Thanks in advance!

WFMW: Shopping with a Purpose

If you know me very well, you know that I support The Mercy House. It is such a blessing to not only watch God transform lives around the globe, but to be a part of it!

The Mercy House reaches out to young pregnant girls in Kenya who would otherwise likely turn to backstreet abortions. This maternity home cares for the girls and their babies for a minimum of two to four years, educating and teaching sustainable skills so the girls can support their families. They provide a safe house, nutrition, prenatal care, counseling, and-most importantly-discipleship.

There are so many ways to help, but my current favorite is to shop Mercy! If you are on my Christmas list (does anyone else start shopping in September?!), don't be surprised if you find some of these under the tree:

These are made by the girls at the Mercy House, and the girls earn 25% from each item that is sold to help them start a business or further their education once they graduate from the program. You can even help by sending in your discarded magazines for them to turn into more beads!

Shopping with a purpose works for me. Will you join me in shopping Mercy this year??

Change of plans

Do you ever think that sometimes, God just wants to see how you'd handle a certain situation? Of course He already knows how you'd handle it... Anyway, I'd like to think that's what our time with Miss P was about...

We received a call late yesterday afternoon that Miss P would be leaving to go live with her grandma. Honestly, I can't say I was too disappointed. Sissy, on the other hand.... Let's just say I want to love like my daughter does. That afternoon, Sissy sat next to Miss P in the van, and was tormented for the greater part of a 40-minute drive. She was hit, poked, scratched, and when we arrived home, I found a handful of her hair in Miss P's lap. The phone call came ten minutes later, and this is what I got:

Now, I won't say that this is pure, selfless love. She cared more about having a sister than what was truly best for Miss P. But despite how horribly she was treated, she loved her little-while sister.

So now we wait. Again. This time I think we're going to hold off until we change our license....

A New Arrival!

Miss P joined our family in the wee hours of Sept. 11th, 2011. She just turned 3, and is very... spirited! We had planned on restricting our license to five- to ten-year-olds beginning next month. Apparently God had other plans.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8,9

The noise level in our house just doubled with her addition, and I am going to have to keep much more focus on the kiddos. I am learning to value people more than possessions-as Miss P just poured her milk ALL OVER my sofa- and exercising my patience. I appreciate all prayers on our behalf- especially that we would show His love in the midst of our exhaustion, frustration, and chaos.

Honesty

So I'm going to be honest with this blog, and this is a great place to start. My motto is "striving to glorify Christ in the midst of chaos", and yet, as I designed my header, I did NOT glorify Christ in the chaos. I was short with my kids and impatient with their shrieking. And they weren't even fighting.

Lord, forgive me for placing more importance on my selfish desires than on my precious children. Help me to align my priorities with yours daily.